# raise someone's shag

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/raise-someones-shag
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To anger or annoy someone.

## Examples

- His constant complaining really raises my shag.
- Please stop tapping your pen on the desk because it is starting to raise my shag.
- The politician's dismissive attitude toward the public's concerns served only to raise the shag of the already frustrated voters.

## Origin

Derived from the physical response of an animal when it is angry or alarmed, specifically the standing up of the hair on the nape of the neck. It functions as a variant of the more common phrase raise someone's hackles.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.